Nursing bottle and nursing bottle assembly



May 30, 1961 c. L. BANNISTER ETAL NURSING BOTTLE AND NURSING BOTTLE ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1958 au'dlf/VENTORS w May 30, 1961 c. 1.. BANNISTER ET AL 2,986,296

7 NURSING BOTTLE AND NURSING BOTTLE ASSEMBLY Filed May 1, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'QE.

IN VEN TORS May 30, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 1, 1958 United States Patent NURSING BOTTLE AND NURSING BO'ITLE ASSEMBLY Constance L. Bannister and Joseph H. Hatcher, New York, NY. (Both of Cold Spring Road, Box 8, Syosset, N.Y.)

Filed May 1, 1958, Ser. No. 732,230

4 Claims. (Cl. 215-11) This invention relates broadly to the art of nursing bottles and covers for nipples on nursing bottles and in its more specific aspects it relates to such covers provided with means operable to seal the nipple when the bottle is not in use and of such bottles provided with means to simplify infant feeding and amuse the infant during the feeding period; and the nature and objects of the inventio'n will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what we at present believe to be preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of our invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions, of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

This invention includes certain modifications of our nursing bottle illustrated in our pending application Serial No. 710,900, filed January 24, 1958, now Patent No. 2,870,930, issued January 27, 1959. It is conventional practice to provide a nipple formed of rubber or other suitable flexible and elastic material, on the open end of a bottle through which the infant sucks the fluid contained in the bottle. The head or bulbous outlet of the nipple is, of course, provided with a perforation through which the fluid is adapted to flow in a feeding operation.

In the feeding of infants, cleanliness and sanitation is a prime consideration and in prior art feeding arrangements, there has been no simple and satisfactory way of protecting the nipple while it is on the bottle between feedings. Structural arrangements on the nipple and neck of the bottle permitting inversion of the nipple so that it will extend into the bottle when not in use have been proposed. While this does offer protection for the nipple it will be appreciated that it is a time consuming and bothersome operation and the structural arrangement required adds to the expense of producing both the nipple and the bottle.

With the conventional bottle mounted nipple, dripping and leakage of the fluid through the nipple has presented a problem. This problem is particularly present when the loaded bottle is being moved about or carried in a bag or the like where it will not necessarily be in upright normal position at all times. While the nipple inversion method mentioned above will prevent dripping it constitutes merely a corrective measure and not a true solution of the problem. This is so because of the reasons mentioned above, and for other reasons.

' Our protective cover functions not only as a cover for "the nipple but also provides means which are operable to act on the nipple to close it so that fiuid cannot leak therefrom regardless of the position of the bottle. In accomplishing this highly advantageous result we also seal Patented May 30, 1961 F ice the nipple against ingress of air, dirt or other foreign matter. The advantages of these results will be evident.

We have not only devised ingenious means which are operable to seal the nipple againse drippage and against ingress of foreign matter'into the bottle through the perforation in the head of the nipple but we have also devised novel means for detachably mounting the cover and operating mean on the nursing bottle.

Our invention also involves a type of nursing bottle endowed with significantly advantageous structural characteristics. The novel nursing bottle of this invention may be laid on its side during a feeding operation, or at any other time, and will not roll but will maintain its proper position. This bottle is also so formed that it will removably mount various elements within the line of vision of the infant whereby the infant will be'amused during a feeding operation. It is also within our contemplation to removably mount noise making devices on the bottle to provide audible amusement as well as visible amusement for the nursing infant.

The nursing bottle of this invention has inherent strength factors flowing from the structure whereby the aforementioned desired results are obtained.

With the foregoing general objects, features and-results in view, as well as certain others which will be apparent from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in design, construction, mounting and combination of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the nipple cover and sealing assembly mounted on a nursing bo'ttle, parts of which are broken away.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l with the nipple cover and nipple being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on line 33 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view in section illustrating the nipple sealing elements in position sealing the nipple.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4 and illustrating the camming elements in inoperative non-nipple sealing position.

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the camming elements in operative nipple sealing position.

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of a further form of cover and nipple sealing mechanism, such mechanism being shown in inoperative position.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the cover and nipple sealing mechanism with the mechanism in nipple sealing position.

Fig. 10 is a view taken on line 1010 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of the nipple retainer ring.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of the lower portion of the cover particularly illustrating the locking lug.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view in elevation of a further form of nipple cover and sealing assembly mounted on a nursing bottle, parts of the bottle being broken away.

Fig. 14 is a view generally similar to Fig. 13 but with the sealing assembly in nipple sealing position.

Fig. 15 is a view taken on line 1515 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of one of the pivoted locking arms of the assembly.

Fig. 18 is an elevational view of a nursing bottle.

Fig. 19 is a view taken on line 1919 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a view in perspective of the nursing bottle having an infant amusing figure removably mounted thereon.

In the accompanying drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 through 7 thereof, we have illustrated one form of nipple cover and sealing assembly and have used the numeral 1 to designate any one of the many types of nursing bottles having an externally threaded neck 3 at one end thereof. The nipple 5 may be formed of rubber or the like flexible and inherently elastic material, the nipple preferably being formed with a more or less bulbous head 7 having the feeding opening 9 therein and an annular, radially extending base flange 11 formed thereon at the end thereof opposite the head. The nipple is adapted for removable mounting on the upper widened end of the neck of the bottle with flange 11 thereof seated on the upper edge of the neck, the nipple being removably fixed to the bottle by means of a nipple retainer ring comprising an internally threaded annular body portion 13 from the upper edge of which a radially inwardly extending clamping flange 15 extends. It will be understood that when the retainer ring is screwed on the neck of the bottle the flange 15 will clamp nipple base flange 11 against the neck of the bottle to removably mount the nipple thereon.

We have designated the nipple cover and sealing assembly in its entirety by the numeral 17, the cover includes an annular base section 19, which, as will become apparent is adapted to be clamped around the retainer ring 13. A radial inwardly extending horizontal shoulder forming section extends from the upper edge of base section 19 and a frusto-conical section 21 extends upwardly therefrom and terminates in a circular neck section 23. The cover may be a unitary structure, the parts thereof preferably being integrally formed. We operatively mount a sealing assembly operating knob 25 on the neck of the cover such knob being of solid imperforate construction and having a circular skirt depending therefrom which slidably surrounds the neck of the nipple cover.

A bolt 29 is threaded as at 31 into the center point of knob 25 and depends therefrom, the lower end of the bolt having a head or depressor 33 formed thereon. We fix in any suitable manner to the top edge of neck 23 the base 35 of a fixed cam 37, the bolt 29 being slidably and rotatably extended through the base and the cam. At the top of the crest of the cam 37 a projection 39 is provided for a purpose to be hereinafter described. A coactive cam or cam follower 41 is fixed on bolt 29 below cam 37, the cam '41 having cam surfaces 43 co-active with the cam surfaces on cam 37 and such surfaces 43 are formed with a continuous groove 45 extending to but spaced from the crest of surfaces 43 to provide a shoulder 45.

The nipple cover and nipple sealing assembly is removably mounted on the nursing bottle by a clamping arrangement which is accessible and easily operated. Pairs of cars 47 are fixed to the cov r 17 at diametrically opposite points and a clamping arm is pivotally supported between each pair of ears. Each arm includes an upstanding finger hold portion 49, an outwardly extending portion 51, a downwardly depending portion 53 and an inwardly extending clamp nose 55 which extends beneath annular base 19 and into engagement with retainer ring 13. Upstanding spring means 57 is fixed in any suitable mann r to base section 19 extending upwardly therefrom and into engagement with finger hold portion 49 of a clamping arm to constantly urge the arms into clamping engagement with nose 55 in engagement with retainer ring 13. Thus, to place the cover and nipple sealing assembly in position it is merely necessary to seat the cover on the retainer ring while pressing each portion 49 of each arm inwardly in order for nose 55 to clear the retainer ring. When the assembly is seated the arms are released and under the action of springs 57 the noses 55 will be projected into clamping position in engagement with the retainer ring 13 as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

With the assembly in position on the bottle as disclosed in Fig. 2 of the drawings in order to seal the nipple against leakage of the contents of the bottle and against ingress of foreign matter, it is only necessary to 4 rotate knob 25. Such action causes rotation of cam 41 from the position illustrated in Fig. 6, and the downward motion of cam 41, bolt 29, knob 25 and skirt 27 as crests of the two cams come into engagement as shown in Fig. 7. In this position of the parts the sealing assembly is in operative nipple sealing position with the head of the nipple depressed by bolt head 33 which fully closes perforation 9 in the nipple and the rotative action of the bolt head also causes a twisting or deformation of the nipple as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. During this operation the projection 39 rides in slot 45 and when it engages projection 47 the sealing operation is completed and no further rotary action in the same direction is possible. The assembly will maintain itself in nipple sealing condition due to friction between skirt 27 and neck 23 and the camming surfaces of the two cams. T o unseal the nipple it is merely necessary to rotate the knob in the opposite direction while giving a slight pull on the knob and the cams will return to the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 8 through 12 of the drawings we have illustrated a further form of nipple cover and nipple sealing assembly and in this form we have designated parts similar to those shown in Figs. 1 through 7 with the same reference numerals.

The cover includes an annular base 59 having four inwardly directed lugs 61 thereon spaced 90 apart. Each such lug 61 is formed with a longitudinally extending rib 63 on the upper surface thereof, A horizontal flat surface 65 extends radially inwardly from base 59 and a frusto-conical section 67 extends upwardly from surface 65 and terminates in an externally threaded neck 69. The nipple sealing means comprises a cap 71 having a circular skirt 73 which is internally threaded as at 75. A solid section 77 depends from the cap 71 in spaced relation to the threaded surface of the skirt and a nipple depressor 79 depends from the solid section.

The nipple retainer ring of this form of our invention comprises an annular internally threaded element 81 which is adapted to be threaded on the neck 3 of the bottle 1. The retainer ring also comprises a radially inwardly extending flange 83 which clamps base 11 of the nipple on the neck of the body. Circumferentially spaced about the exterior side of ring 81 are a plurality of elongated locking projections 85 each of which is formed with a groove 87 in its lowermost surface. A washer 89 of resilient material is positioned between surface 65 and flange 83, the washer preferably being cemented to surface 65.

When it is desired to position the nipple cover and nipple sealing assembly on a bottle in protective position about a nipple which is operatively positioned thereon it is merely necessary to thread the retainer ring on the neck of the bottle so that flange 83 clamps the base of the nipple on the bottle. The cover is then placed down over the retainer ring the lugs 61 passing between the projections 85. The cover is then pressed down to compress washer 89 and is then rotated in either direction to bring each rib 63 of each lug 61 into a groove 87 of a projection. With the parts in these positions it will be recognized that the assembly is locked on the bottle. The reverse operation to that just described will, of course, release the assembly from its position mounted on the bottle.

With the assembly mounted as described the nipple may be sealed by screwing the cap 71 into sealing posi tion on the neck 69 until the depressor 79 engages the nipple head, covers and seals the perforation therein while slightly deforming the nipple to insure a perfect sealing action.

In Figs. 13 through 17 we have illustrated a further form of protective nipple cover and nipple sealing assem bly and we have used the same reference numerals as hereinbefore used to designate parts which are the same as those embodied in the other forms of our invention.

assaase The bottle 1 may have a threaded neck similar to those disclosed in Figs. 2 and 8 to which an assembly supporting annulus 91 may be threaded. It is also within our contemplation to form the assembly supporting annulus as an integral part of the bottle 1. In this form of our invention the cover assembly involves several components, namely a base member 93, a cam and cap 95 and a cam retainer ring 97. The base member 93 is formed to provide an annular part 99, a section 101 extending inwardly therefrom and a cylindrical portion 103 upstanding from said section 101. At the top of the cylindrical portion we provide a radially inwardly extending annular flange or floor 105 having a central opening 107. Also at the top of the cylindrical portion we form a radially outwardly extending annular flange 109 and form an upstanding externally threaded annular wall 111 thereon.

'On the floor 105 are two upstanding pivot pins 113 which are diametrically opposed and on each of such pins is pivotally mounted a nipple sealing lever designated in its entirety by the numeral 115. Each nipple sealing lever includes an arm 117 having an opening 119 at the free end thereof for receiving a pivot pin 113. At its opposite end each lever provides a solid portion of more or less triangular configuration providing a plane top surface 123, a plane side surface 125 and two arcuate sides or surfaces 127 and 129, the apex formed between the two arcuate sides being grooved as at 131. Consideration of the drawings clearly indicates that the levers 115 are so mounted on the pins that one extends in one direction and the other in the other direction alongside the opening 107 formed through the annular floor 105.

The cam and cap 95 provides a cam operating knob 133, the underside of which is formed with a nipple receiving cavity 135. The cam and cap is generally cupshaped providing an annular rim 137 and diametrically opposed cam elements 139 spaced above the lower edge of the rim. Each cam element 139 is formed with a camming surface 141, a vertical groove 143 and a nose 145 at one side of said groove.

The various components of the cover and nipple sealing assembly are assembled in the following manner. The base member 93 is sealed on the supporting annulus 91, then the cam and cap 91 is placed thereon with the cam elements over the pivoted nipple sealing levers 115 whereupon the cam and cap retainer ring 97, which comprises an internally threaded annulus 147 and an inwardly directed annular flange 149 is threaded on the annular wall 111. It will be appreciated that with the various elements assembled as described the cam and cap will be rotatively mounted between flange 149 and floor 105.

With the parts mounted and in the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 13 the nipple is sealed in the following manner. The cap 133 is grasped and rotated from the positions of Figs. 13 and to those of Figs. 14 and 16. This rotative action causes the cams 139 to rotate, the camming surface 141 of each cam engaging the arcuate or curved surface 127 of each lever 115 to swing each lever inwardly to pinch, compress and close the nipple between them as shown in Figs. 14 and 16. When the levers are swung to their full sealing position the nose 143 of each cam will seat in groove 131 of each lever to maintain the parts in sealing position against the elasticity of the pinched or deformed nipple. To unseal the nipple it is only necessary to rotate the cam and cap in the opposite direction.

One of the advantageous features of this form of our invention is that no extraneous means for attaching the assembly to the bottle is required, for when the nipple is sealed it will produce a bulb 147 at the nipple top by which the locked levers may not pass and the entire assembly will be held on the bottle.

Figs. 18 through illustrate a novel form of triangular nursing bottle and attachments therefor. We have used the numeral 149 to designate in its entirety a triangular nursing bottle having three sides 151. The bottle may be formed of plastic, glass or any other suitable material. The apices of the triangular bottle are somewhat thickened as at 153 relative to the bottle sides, and a longituding open ended groove 155 is formed in each apex 153.

We have devised a plurality of bottle supporting and/or infant amusing devices for removable attachment to the nursing bottle. In Fig. 19, for instance, we have illustrated supporting and rattle elements attached to the bottle, we have designated such elements in their entirety by the numeral 157. Such elements may be formed of plastic or other suitable light-weight material and may include a closed end cylindrical body portion 159 which is preferably of the same length as the bottle. In this body portion we may confine a multiplicity of balls 161 which will make a rattling noise when the cylinder is moved. A longitudinally extending rib 163 extends integrally from the cylindrical body portion, the rib being provided with an enlarged edge 164. Now, it will be apparent that a cylinder may be removably mounted on the bottle at each apex thereof by sliding the rib 163 into groove 155, thereby forming a tongue and groove joint. Such attachments need not be mounted on each apex of the bottle, for, as disclosed in Fig. 20 two of them will form a bottle support.

It is also within our contemplation to provide a variety of infant amusing devices for removable attachment to our nursing bottle. Each such device is provided with a tongue for insertion in the groove. As an example of such an organization we have illustrated in Fig. 20 a cats head 165 mounted on a coil spring 157 which, at its end, carries a tongue 167 for slidable insertion in groove 155. It will be understood that the tongue 167 could be similar to the rib 163 of Fig. 19. Thus as the infant is feeding the figure 165 will be in the line of vision of the infant and will cause amusement and any shaking of the bottle will cause sounds to emanate from the bottle to further amuse the feeding infant.

It will now be apparent that we have provided means for protectively covering the nipple on a nursing bottle combined with easily operable means for sealing the nipple against leakage and drippage therethrough of the contents of the bottle and against ingress of foreign matter through the nipple and into the bottle. It will also now be recognized that our invention also embodies a new type of bottle endowed with an unusual strength factor and with means allowing the removable attachment of a variety of desirable devices thereto.

We claim:

1. A nursing bottle assembly, including in combination, a bottle, a nipple mounted thereon, said nipple having a head formed with a feed perforation therethrough, means for removably mounting said nipple on said bottle, and a cover and sealing organization for said nipple, said organization including a stationary assembly and a movable assembly and said stationary assembly including a nipple enveloping section and an externally screw threaded neck projecting therefrom, the head of said nipple being extended into said neck, a cap threadedly mounted on said neck, and means fixed to said cap and engageable with the head of said nipple to close the perforation therein when said cap is screwed on said neck.

2. A nursing bottle assembly, including in combination, a bottle, a nipple having an annular base at one end and said annular base being supported on the mouth of a bottle, said nipple having a head formed on the other end thereof provided with a feed perforation therethrough, a retainer ring removably attached to said bottle and in engagement with said annular base to hold the base on the bottle, and further means for covering and sealing said nipple, said further means being mounted on and removably attached to said retainer ring, and said further means including a stationary assembly and a movable assembly, said movable assembly including a nipple sealing element rotatively movable axially relative to the nipple to and from nipple head engaging and sealing position, and said stationary assembly including means enaeaaeoo .gaged with said sealing element causing axial movement of said sealing element upon rotation thereof.

3. A nursing bottle assembly, including in combination, a bottle, a nipple mounted thereon and a protective cover for said nipple, a retainer ring removably attachable to said bottle for attaching the nipple to the bottle, said ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking projections formed on the exterior thereof and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, said cover being provided with an annular base extended over said ring and biasing means between said base and said ring urging said base upwardly from said ring and permitting said base to be moved toward said ring, said annular base being rotatable with respect to said ring, and said base being provided with spaced inwardly projecting lugs in engagement with certain of said locking projections to lock said cover in position on the bottle protecting said nipple, and said cover being rotatable to position said lugs between said locking projections for axial removal of said cover from said retainer ring and from locked position on the bottle covering said nipple.

4. A nursing bottle assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein each of said projections is formed with a groove in the lower surface thereof and each of said lugs is formed with a rib on the upper surface thereof whereby a rib seats in a groove when the cover is locked on the bottle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,167,284 Sander July 25, 1939 2,571,010 Busch Feb. 9, 1951 2,579,194 Kronish Dec. 18, 1951 2,753,068 Robinson July 3, 1956 2,776,066 Thornton Ian. 1, 1957 2,826,324 Hoag Mar. 11, 1958 

